This preservative can be used in remote areas without refrigeration for at least two months.
Saliva is an important body fluid for
diagnostic purposes. Glycoproteins, glucose,
steroids, DNA, and other molecules
of diagnostic value are found in saliva. It is
easier to collect as compared to blood or
urine. Un for tunately, saliva also contains
large numbers of bacteria that can release
enzymes, which can degrade proteins and
nucleic acids. These degradative enzymes
destroy or reduce saliva’s diagnostic value.
This innovation describes the formulation
of a chemical preservative that prevents
microbial growth and inactivates the
degradative enzymes. This extends the
time that saliva can be stored or transported
without losing its diagnostic value. Multiple
samples of saliva can be collected if
needed without causing discomfort to the
subject and it does not require any special
facilities to handle after it is collected.

Using proprietary molding
techniques, the inner
fitting features three
sharp barbs designed
specifically to securely hold
the stiffer hoses common
to blood pressure
monitors.
For precise blood pressure monitoring
in hospitals and surgeries, the accurate
handling of medical devices is paramount.
Human error or device failure
can result in inaccurate readings, which
compromise the safety of patients, and it
is critical, therefore, that device components,
such as connectors, not only
ensure a leak-free connection but are
also simple and easy to use.

A recent study indicates
that the technology
may be used in magnetoencephalography (MEG), a
noninvasive procedure that
could advance the study of
neurological diseases.
A miniature atom-based magnetic
sensor has passed an important research milestone by successfully measuring
human brain activity. Experiments verified the sensor's potential
for biomedical applications such as
studying mental processes and advancing
the understanding of neurological
diseases.

These probes enable full use of TCD
technology for neurological diagnostics.
Current transcranial color Doppler (TCD) transducer probes
are bulky and difficult to move in tiny increments to search and
optimize TCD signals. This invention provides miniature
motions of a TCD transducer probe to optimize TCD signals.

This fluorescence-activated cell-sorting-based approach has
applications in operating room cleanliness validation assays,
and in pharmaceutical development and quality assurance.
Frequently there is an inability to
process and analyze samples of low biomass
due to limiting amounts of relevant
biomaterial in the sample.
Furthermore, molecular biological protocols
geared towards increasing the
density of recovered cells and biomolecules
of interest, by their very nature,
also concentrate unwanted inhibitory
humic acids and other particulates that
have an adversarial effect on downstream
analysis.

This audio/video system provides real-time help to inexperienced ultrasound operators in
remote environments.
Medical ultrasound or echocardiographic
studies are highly operatordependent
and generally require lengthy
training and internship to perfect. To
obtain quality echocardiographic images
in remote environments, such as on-orbit,
remote guidance of studies has been
employed. This technique involves minimal
training for the user, coupled with
remote guidance from an expert. When
real-time communication or expert guidance
is not available, a more autonomous
system of guiding an inexperienced operator
through an ultrasound study is needed.
One example would be missions
beyond low Earth orbit in which the time
delay inherent with communication will
make remote guidance impractical.

Question of the Week

This week's Question: A recent study created by the Arizona-based Paragon Space Development Corporation says its life support system could help humans survive on Mars. The proposed Environmental Control and Life Support System, the company says,...